Americans possibly exercising less...

The number of American men and women with big-bellied, apple-shaped figures - the most dangerous kind of obesity - has climbed at a startling rate over teh past decade, according to a government study.

People whose fat has settled mostly around their waistlines instead of in their hips, thighs, buttocks or all over are known to run a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes and other obesity-related ailments.

Fifty-four percent of U.S. adults have abdominal obesity, up from 46 percent in 1999-2000, researchers reported in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association. Abdominal obesity is defined as a waistline of more than 35 inches in women and more than 40 inches in men.

During the 12-year period studied, the average waist size in the U.S. expanded to 38 inches for women, a gain of 2 inches. It grew to 40 inches for men, a 1-inch increase.

Cause for concern:

“The increase is a concern. There’s no question about that,” said Dr. William Dietz, an obesity expert formerly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, now at George Washington University.

The expansion in waistlines came even as the overall level of obesity – as defined not by waist size but by body mass index, of BMI, a weight-to-height ratio – held fairly steady.

An overweight man rests on a bench in Jackson, Miss.

What this might mean:

“What it suggests is that even though the obesity rate may be stable, fat distribution may be changing, which would mean that we shouldn’t be complacent about the plateau,” said Dietz, who was not involved in the study.

Dr. Earl Ford, a CDC researcher and the study’s lead author, said the seemingly contradictory trends are puzzling. He said it could be that Americans are exercising less and getting flabby. But because fat weighs less than muscle, they are not necessarily getting heavier.

Additional Reasons:

The study cites other possible reasons for the increase in belly fat, including sleep deprivation and certain medicines. Also, researchers said the increase might be related to pesticides, the plastics additive BPA and other chemicals that mimic hormones that can affect weight. But the connection is speculative and unproven.

Belly fat not only makes people look apple-shaped but often means fat has built up deep inside the body, around the liver and other abdominal organs.

Comparisons:

Compared with fat that lies closer to the surface, this “visceral” fat secretes lower levels of beneficial hormones and higher levels of inflammatory substances linked to obesity-related ailments, Dr. Lisa Neff, an obesity specialist at Northwestern University. She was not involved in the study.

“In people of the same weight, the person who carries weight around the middle is going to have higher risks” of obesity-related ailments, Neff said.

By 2011-12, the last year studied, 44 percent of men suffered from abdominal obesity, up from 37 percent. The trend was more pronounced among women: By 2011-12, about two-thirds of all women were affected, up from just over half in 1999-2000.

The researchers analyzed data from CDC health surveys and in-person exams. Adults’ average age during those years was 45.

Previous Data:

Previously released data from the same surveys indicate that about 35 percent of U.S. adults are obese, a level that hasn’t budged much in recent years. Those surveys define obesity as a BMI of at least 30. For example, someone who is 5-foot-4 – the average U.S. woman’s height – would be obese at 175 pounds.

Ford said that for both kinds of obesity, the bottom-line message for patients is probably the same: diet and exercise.

JABBFA | Jamaican Amateur Bodybuilding & Fitness Association

Fitness Motivational Coaching Session

Sharon Gayle will be at Fit Farm Fitness Club for a Meet and Greet / Rap Motivational session with the JABBFA Athletes (Male and Female).

Sharon is a World Champion Figure Competitor and Professional Women's Fitness expert from the UK. You may learn a thing or two about the exciting possibilities for the sport and what it can offer to you. The Session is geared to Bodybuilding Competitors (ALL DIVISIONS); however, all fitness enthusiasts are welcome!

"We are most grateful. Our athletes would enjoy meeting you and listening to your experiences." --Sydney Davis, JABBFA 1st Vice President

Make Exercise Fun!

Working Towards a Specific Activity.

The more you exercise, become fit, and strong; the more exercise can become fun. A seemingly simple Cartwheel, though not typically considered exercise, can put even the most avid gym-goer to the test. What type of test you ask? Well though Cartwheels can be fun, they are not much fun if you don't have the balance, coordination, flexibility, and strength, to do one. Though, having the ability to laugh at yourself and have fun as you repeatedly fall over when trying to master the cartwheel movement, is in itself, a healthy state of being. :-)

Sometimes fun takes a little balance and coordination ...but it will be worth it!

Therefore, if there is an outdoor activity that you would like to do to break the periodic monotony of being in the gym; envision and analyze it, and think about the ways in which the gym can help you prepare for that specific activity. From then forward, when you are grinding away on the Stepmill (wandering why on earth am I doing this to myself?) snap back to reality and visualize yourself doing what you've long wanted to do ...going on a high intensity hike while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors and Fall foliage.

If you determine that you want to live a healthy lifestyle, but balk at the being in the gym 5-days per week for the rest of your life; make a plan. Get fit, get strong, improve your balance and coordination; and then once or twice per week, take your exercise out to the streets, or into nature. There are so numerous outdoor activities that stimulate, strengthen, and provide cardiovascular improvement, but for most if not all, working out in a gym environment will provide the foundation exercise, strength gains, and cardiovascular improvement necessary to better participate in these activities.

Some example of fun outdoor activities are:

White Water Rafting

Hiking

Bowling

Golf

Horseback Riding

Swimming

Basketball

Skiing

Rock Climbing

Marathons

Scuba Diving

And the list goes on and on...

Now that you have a short list of activities that you could be enjoying if you had the physical ability to join in; pick one or two or three, and get busy in the gym. And in no time, instead of being on the sidelines, you'll be out there participating and having a blast!!!

REMINDER: Just because someone else makes an activity or specific exercise look easy, does not mean it will be easy for you. Practice makes perfect, so analyze, strategize, and build the foundation that can make it happen! ~SharonGayle

Exercise for Children

Help Your Child to Build a Strong Foundation

As an adult most of us equate exercise to going to the gym and doing cardio and strength training. However, for children, exercise means being physically active, playing with friends, and having fun. Children exercise when they have a gym class at school, during recess. Competitive sports such as Soccer can help kids stay fit.Walking or biking to school, dancing, bowling and swimming are also some other ways in which children can get exercise.

The Many Benefits of Exercise

Increased physical activity has been associated with an increased life expectancy and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Physical activity produces overall physical, psychological and social benefits. Inactive children are likely to become inactive adults. And physical activity helps children to:

have stronger muscles and bones

have a leaner body because exercise helps control body fat

control weight / be less likely to become overweight

decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and some kinds of cancer

improved psychological well-being, which often includes more self-confidence and higher self-esteem

Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit sleep better and are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges — from running to catch a bus to studying for a test. Parents can set a good example by being active themselves. Exercising together can be fun for everyone!

The American Heart Association recommends:

All children age 2 and older should participate in at least 60 minutes of enjoyable, moderate-intensity physical activities every day that are developmentally appropriate and varied.

If your child or children don't have a full 60-minute activity break each day, try to provide at least two 30-minute periods or four 15-minute periods in which they can engage in vigorous activities appropriate to their age, gender and stage of physical and emotional development.

Additional Stats

Physical Activity

Only one in three children are physically active every day.(1)

Children now spend more than seven and a half hours a day in front of a screen (e.g., TV, video games, computer).(2)

Only about one in five homes have parks within a half-mile, and about the same number have a fitness or recreation center within that distance.(3)

Nutrition

Typical American diets exceed the recommended intake levels or limits in four categories: calories from solid fats and added sugars; refined grains; sodium; and saturated fat.(4)

More than 23 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, live in food deserts – areas that are more than a mile away from a supermarket.(5)

In recent years, nearly 15% of American households have been unable to acquire adequate food to help meet their needs.(2)

In 2008, an estimated 49.1 million people, including 16.7 million children, experienced food insecurity (limited availability to safe and nutritionally adequate foods) multiple times throughout the year.(6)

Obesity

Data from 2009-2010 indicates that over 78 million U.S. adults and about 12.5 million (16.9%) children and adolescents are obese.(7)

For children with disabilities, obesity rates are approximately 38% higher than for children without disabilities. It gets worse for the adult population where obesity rates for adults with disabilities are approximately 57% higher than for adults without disabilities.(8)

Obesity Then and Now(2) o Prevalence of obesity for children ages 2 to 5 years – doubled  Early 1970s: 5% 2007-08: 10% o Prevalence of obesity for children ages 6 to 11 years – quadrupled  Early 1970s: 4% 2007-08: 20% o Prevalence of obesity for children ages 12 to 19 years – tripled  Early 1970s: 6% 2007-08: 18%

Nearly 45% of children living in poverty are overweight or obese compared with 22% of children living in households with incomes four times the poverty level.(9)

Almost 40% of Black and Latino youth ages 2 to 19 are overweight or obese compared with only 29% of White youth.(9)

Human and Financial Costs of Obesity

Obesity is also a growing threat to national security – a surprising 27% of young Americans are too overweight to serve in our military. Approximately 15,000 potential recruits fail their physicals every year because they are unfit.(10)

Ogden, C.L., Carroll, M.D., Kit, B.K., Flegal, K.M. Prevalence of Obesity in the United States, 2009-2010. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief, January 2012.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 2003-2008.

Even Women Who Exercise, Sit Too Much.

Study finds that people sit more hours a day than they sleep, raising the risk of chronic health conditions

You might find this hard to believe, however, it makes total sense. We do far more sitting down than we did in the past when we had less convenience. Sadly, we have almost everything at our fingertips. We have remotes for TV’s, air conditioners, home alarm systems, and even window blinds; thus, we move less on so many levels. For those of us who do work out, that’s great, but even we tend to sit more. We really have to think “think active” and think of various ways to try to incorporate short and sweet bursts of movement into our days. I.e.

Walk a few extra blocks to the next subway station rather than taking the station ½ a block away.

At the office, walk up and down the internal stairwells, instead of taking the elevator 1 or 2 flights up or down.

Go for a stroll on the weekend, fool around on the monkey bars at the park.

Join the kids in a game of basketball at the courts.

Use the phone at the office to talk to a co-worker, better yet, take a walk …tell them in person.

Whatever, it takes, just MOVE!!! And, try to have fun doing it! The following article elaborates on this apparent dilemma.

Are you sitting too much?

THURSDAY, Nov. 29, 2012 (HealthDay News)*For women who love that great, self-satisfied feeling after a workout, a new study could be a disappointing surprise. Regular exercise, the study found, does not reduce the risk of an otherwise sedentary lifestyle.

Women who exercise regularly actually spend as much time sitting down as those who don't get much exercise, and thus may be susceptible to a greater risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and premature death, the study revealed."We spend the vast majority of our time not exercising," said Lynette Craft, lead author of the study and an adjunct assistant professor of preventive medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in Chicago. "It's important to think about how you spend your entire day and what you're doing in your non-exercise time." READ MORE... (*this news item will not be available after 02/28/2013)

Trimming the Fat!

Guidelines for a healthier body and a happier you!

With the Summer fast approaching, we tend to take a longer, harder, look at ourselves in the mirror. Some of us are satisfied with our general physique, while others will see various areas that might need a little refining, and feel the need to get rid of a few extra pounds.

The following general guidelines will help you work toward a healthier body and a happier you!

Calorie Deficit

Many commercial diets toot their own horns as having the right strategy to shed unwanted weight; however, while most do provide initial results, most also fail to provide the long-term results needed to help keep the weight off. Following are two very important points to keep in mind:

Your body must burn more calories than it is taking in to lose weight.

One pound of fat equals 3,500 calories, so if you want to lose 1 pound per week, you need to average a caloric deficit of 500 calories per day.

NO!You do not have to run on the treadmill faster than the speed of light until your legs buckle (or you end up somewhere in the Twilight Zone) to burn the 3,500 calories to lose a pound. You will however, need to combine increased activity with changes to your diet/meal plan.

Going nowhere fast? Re-evaluate your workouts, and achieve success!

Basal Metabolic Rate and Calories Burned in a Day

To manage your weight, you need to know the number of calories you consume and the number of calories you burn. Your body has what is referred to as basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the amount of calories you burn at rest in order to survive. Your BMR accounts for approximately 60 to 75% of all the calories you burn in a day. Yes—even while you are sleeping, your body continues to burn a small amount of calories.

Once you’ve determined your daily caloric needs, it’s time to set a realistic weight loss goal of 1-2 pounds per week and also calculate how many calories you need to eliminate your unwanted weight. BE REALISTIC! Set a goal you can achieve. Crash diets and extreme workouts are not the way to do this. Work within your lifestyle and time constraints. Moderate changes will yield great results, and if done correctly, permanent positive lifestyle changes.

What to Eat

Managing your weight is easier than you might imagine. There is no need to spend hours planning your diet. Just follow several simple guidelines and keep the calorie deficit in mind.

You are what you eat. Choose to eat healthy.

Reduce your portion sizes by 10 to 15% each time you prepare or order a meal.

Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day and avoid skipping breakfast.

Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and non-fat or low-fat dairy products to get the nutrients your body needs.

Aim for two or three servings of dairy products daily (e.g., milk, cheeses, yogurt).

Select low-fat foods and avoid trans fats. Limit your total fat intake to 20 to 35% of daily calories, with no more than 7% of your total calories coming from saturated fats.

Avoid eating too many salty foods.

Limit alcohol beverage intake.

Cardio: Burn the Right Fuel

Research shows that lower-intensity exercise uses a larger percentage of fat as fuel compared to higher-intensity exercise. However, it does not burn as many calories as higher-intensity exercise and, consequently will not result in as much body weight or fat loss. Therefore, gradually increase the intensity to increase your caloric deficit while continuing to burn fats. Higher-intensity exercise also has a greater impact on keeping your metabolism elevated after your workout, which keeps your body burning calories, thereby allowing you to eliminate a few more calories. REMINDER!Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, and choose the intensity that is appropriate for your current health and physical capabilities.

Burn More Fat by Increasing Muscle

Strength training offers numerous health benefits, including an increase in the number of calories burned. Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue, and building muscles utilizes a lot of energy. As you increase the amount of muscle you have, you will also increase your resting metabolic rate.

Build muscle ...Burn calories even when sleeping!

To prevent injury and develop consistency, it is suggested that you start off with one to two sets of 12 to 15 repetitions for all major muscle groups. ~Sharon Gayle

Notice: This article is for your reference only. Please consult with you Physician prior to starting any exercise program. Additional Reference Source: ACE-American Counsel on ExercisePhotographs: Courtesy of MSTemplates

Your ability to perform any and every upper body exercise, hinges on the strength of your arms and wrists. Generally, more attention is given to the Biceps and Triceps; however, forearms and wrists need to be given equal attention to perform your upper body exercises efficiently. To fully work and define your upper arms, forearms strength and wrist stability, is essential!

In a nutshell, don't ignore the small body-parts, as body-parts work in tandem with each other.~SG.